Volunteer's Tools: Volunteers bring their own tools which must be fit for purpose, at their own risk. The Group cannot accept any responsibility for a volunteer's own tools unless by prior agreement.

Volunteer's Dogs: Dogs should only be brought to sites where they will not disturb wildlife and other livestock and where it is acceptable to the management and other users of the site. Dogs are brought at the owner's own risk, the group cannot accept any responsibility for their wellbeing.

Tools (including volunteer's own) should be in good state of repair and fit for purpose.

Where possible tools being transported should be contained within tool bag(s) with blades guarded.

Give tools talk at start of task to impart and reinforce knowledge. (Volunteers should know name, purpose and correct manner of use of tools, including carrying techniques, storage, safe working distances and applicable protective clothing.)

Set aside damaged or blunt tools for maintenance or to be discarded.

Sturdy footwear should be worn.

Swinging tools should not be used with gloves (at least not on the hand gripping the tool) or in wet conditions; observe safe working distances.

Regularly check that safe working distances are being observed.

Tools not in use should be stored in tool bag or laid on ground in clear view where not a trip hazard.

Demonstrate safe lifting and handling techniques.

If available, use wheelbarrows and other handling aids to move heavier items.

Ensure routes for transporting tools and materials are kept clear.

Check for services as part of site inspection, mark and avoid. Avoid felling near overhead services. Pole saws must not be used within 15m of overhead electricity cables and power lines. Where underground services suspected, use hand tools for digging within 1m of line, do not use crowbars.

Warn of possible presence of irritant plants. Wear gloves and long sleeves when working with or near irritant plants; wash exposed skin thoroughly after work.

Wear long sleeves if biting insects may be present, use insect repellent. If wasp or bees' nest found, highlight and stop working in immediate vicinity.

Provide information about ticks and Lyme disease including symptoms. Advise volunteers to wear boots, long trousers and tops with sleeves to avoid ticks, tuck trousers into socks, and after task to check for ticks and bites and to seek immediate medical advise if they have concerns. Note: Although most common from late spring until autumn, tick bites can occur at any time of the year whenever the conditions exist for ticks to be active.

In hot or sunny conditions, keep skin covered and use high factor sun cream on exposed skin; stop work if volunteers ill attired for conditions, in discomfort or the work is increasing in risk.

Always wash hands or use cleansing wipes or gel before eating, drinking or smoking.

Dogs brought by volunteers to tasks must be well behaved and under the control of their owner at all times, they must not put volunteers or others at risk by causing a distraction or otherwise disrupting the task.

Insurance considerations
Econet's insurance does not cover the use of chain saws.
The following statement has been made to Econet's insurer's regarding tree felling: "We occasionally fell trees with trunks over 15cm diameter, maximum in the region of 18 - 20cm. Maximum height of tree felled would be in the region of 10 - 12m. [but such trees would generally of smaller girth]." No task should be undertaken which contravenes this statement. Note: A diameter of 20cm (8in) equates to a girth of 63cm (25in).

Take frequent breaks when undertaking heavy or repetitive tasks such as when hammering or using slasher or strimmer, or alternate with other (lighter) task to reduce risk of strains and injuries associated with vibration and repetitive movement.

Avoid working near power lines and other overhead cables.

If tree caught in overhead cables do not touch, call responsible authority immediately.

Pole saws must not be used within 15m of overhead electricity cables and power lines.

Take frequent breaks when undertaking heavy or repetitive tasks such as when hammering or using slasher or strimmer, or alternate with other (lighter) task to reduce risk of strains and injuries associated with vibration and repetitive movement.

Wear gloves when handling thorny material.

Wear gloves when handling bracken to prevent cuts.

Site fires, if applicable see "Bonfires" risk assessment.

Provide information on adder identification and warning not to approach.

Wear sturdy boots and long trousers to avoid adder bits.

Avoid bracken clearance in late summer when spores are released; provide dust masks.

If machinery e.g. mowers, being used on site, insure safe working distances observed.

Provide information about ticks and Lyme disease including symptoms. Advise volunteers to wear boots, long trousers and tops with sleeves to avoid ticks, tuck trousers into socks, and after task to check for ticks and bites and to seek immediate medical advise if they have concerns. Note: Although most common from late spring until autumn, tick bites can occur at any time of the year whenever the conditions exist for ticks to be active.

Warn volunteers of risk of scratches and ensure safe working distance are kept.

Provide goggles.

Broken skin and existing wounds should be covered with plaster before work starts.

Cuts received should be cleaned and covered immediately.

Use tools and feet to move soil and to firm soil around plants. If working in or moving soil by hand wear gloves.

Always wash hands or use cleansing wipes or gel before eating, drinking or smoking.

Take frequent breaks when undertaking heavy or repetitive tasks such as when hammering or using slasher or strimmer, or alternate with other (lighter) task to reduce risk of strains and injuries associated with vibration and repetitive movement.

Demonstrate safe lifting and handling techniques.

If available, use wheelbarrows and other handling aids to move heavier items.

Ensure routes for transporting tools and materials are kept clear.

Demonstrate techniques for staking trees and the tools to be used.

Hard hats must be worn when using either post driver or mell, and use bar to hold stakes or posts in position.

Insurance considerations
The following statement has been made to Econet's insurer's regarding working in water: "Minimum of two volunteers would participate in any such activity. Generally the maximum depth of water would be in the region of 50 - 60cm. We would not knowingly participate in such an activity at a hazardous location." No task should be undertaken which contravenes this statement.

Hazards

Contact with hand tools

Slips, trips and falls

Deep or fast flowing water

Contact with harmful substances

Manual handling wet materials

Contact with rats urine, faeces and other bio-hazards

Contact with dead animals, or water polluted by them.

Controls

Tools: See "General Conservation Activities" risk assessment

Do not work in or above deep or fast flowing water.

Avoid lone working when working in or next to water.

Identify escape routes which must be kept clear at all at all times to ensure volunteers can get out of water quickly and safely.

Provide lifebuoy or throwline if appropriate.

Went working in water movement should be slow and measured. Check for hidden or buried objects, sudden changes in depth and that bottom is stable and will bear volunteer's weight.

When working on soft ground check that it will bear volunteer's weight. Use duckboards if available.

Sharp or swinging tools not to be used when wet.

Volunteers must have a firm stable stance before using tools or handling wet material.

Do not overreach when working from bank.

Only work at the water's edge if that edge is clearly visible, e.g. is not obscured by vegetation, and has not undermined.

Do not work in water contaminated with sewage.

Strong waterproof gloves must be worn to handle debris and rubbish from water. In deeper water wear pond gloves to protect arms.

Dead animals must not be touched - inform the site owner or manager.

Always wash hands or use cleansing wipes or gel before eating, drinking or smoking.

Advise volunteers that wet material is heavier than its dry counterpart.

Demonstrate safe lifting and handling techniques.

If available, use wheelbarrows and other handling aids to move heavier items.

Cercarial dermatitisSwimmer's itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites. The parasites are occasionally found in pond water and when they come into contact with a person will burrow into the skin. They are destroyed by the body's immune system but this gives rise to an allergic reaction and rash which is intensely itch and lasts for about one week.

This condition has affected volunteers working in the pond at Waterloo Meadows. It can be avoided by preventing skin contact with the pond water by wearing strong waterproof gloves, wellingtons, etc.

LeptospirosisBacterial infection cared by rats, cattle and other animals and passed to humans either by direct contact with the tissues, urine or other secretions of an infected animal, or from water contaminated with infected urine. The infection enters the body through cuts and abrasions and the lining of the eyes and mouth. To avoid infection always cover open wounds and keep from contact with pond and river water. When working in ponds and rivers always wear strong waterproof gloves and wellington or waders.

Symptoms include mild flu-like illness. In its most severe form known as Weil's Disease, it can lead to a number of serious conditions such as jaundice and kidney failure. Symptoms usually develop 7-21 days after initial infection although rarely the incubation period can be as short as two to three days or as long as 30 days. Treatment for the illness is with antibiotics but recovery may take several weeks and in some cases months. If you are concerned you may have contracted this disease you should seek medical assistance immediately, in its most severe form untreated it can result in death.

Lyme DiseaseBacterial infection transmitted from animals to humans by tick bites. Animal hosts include deer, foxes, sheep, squirrels and rodents. Ticks are most active in the early summer and autumn although they may be found at other times. They are often located on tall vegetation in woodlands and heaths from where they can attach themselves to their host. To protect yourself wear long sleeves and long trousers tucked in to your socks. Check for ticks on your return home, if found it should be removed immediately. Removal is best achieved with fine-toothed tweezers, pulling steadily away from the skin.

Only a small minority of tick bites carry Lyme Disease. Symptoms include a red, expanding rash parts of which may clear as it enlarges resulting in a "bull's-eye" appearance. Other symptoms are fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. If you think you may have contacted Lyme Disease please seek medical advise immediate. Treatment is with antibiotics, without treatment a number of serious conditions can arise including a viral-like meningitis, facial palsy, other nerve damage or arthritis.

ToxocariasisToxocariasis is a rare infection caused by roundworm parasites which is spread from animals (particularly cats, dogs and foxes) via their infected faeces. For most these larvae cause no symptoms and die within a few months. However, some may experience mild symptoms such as a cough, high temperature (fever), headaches or stomach pain. In rare cases, organs such as the liver, lungs, eyes or brain become infected causing severe symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, breathing difficulties and blurred or cloudy vision in one eye.